THORNTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
August 2025
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
It was great seeing so many students and families during MAZE days. We are very excited to welcome our new and returning students to campus for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 12th. With nearly 700 new 6th graders and a total enrollment of approximately 2000 students, it is bound to be an exciting school year. The custodial crew has been working all summer to prepare the school for the return of students and staff. The teachers and clerical staff have returned from summer break and have been participating in all of the "behind the scenes" work that must take place prior to the arrival of students. All of this is to say, We are excited to see you and looking forward to the start of the school year!
This newsletter contains a lot of important information regarding the first days of school which include some action items for parents and students. It is imperative that you review the items in the newsletter and take action on completing the Parent Data Confirmation within the Aeries Parent Portal. You will also find our Year-at-a-Glance Calendar near the end of the newsletter as well as below my signature line. Parents find this very helpful as they begin to plan out the school year with their child.
Our first day of school is a minimum day and students will be released at 12:45pm. The warning bell rings at 8:05am. When the bell rings, students should be on their way to their first period class to meet their teacher. Traffic will be very heavy and congested the first few days of school and construction on Thornton Avenue may create traffic complications. Students are encouraged to walk, bike or take the bus to school. If you must drive your child, please consider carpooling and parking away from campus and having students walk in. Thornton Middle School is off of Route 84 which adds to the significant morning congestion and traffic jams. Please plan accordingly. I look forward to seeing you on August 12th!
Welcome Back,
Ms. Strausbaugh, Principal
STUDENT SCHEDULES
Students will have access to their schedules on August 11, 2025, through the Aeries Portal. Please login to Aeries to view your schedule. Students should be able to access Aeries by logging into their Google Accounts, going to the waffle, and clicking on the Aeries widget. Parents should also be able to access the student schedule through the Aeries Parent Portal. We have had some staffing changes since MAZE day so reviewing your schedule again on August 11th is very important. Please note that some changes may have occurred since picking up your schedule during MAZE day. Schedules should be printed or handwritten so that students can reference them on the first day of school. Students may not use cell phones during the day to access their schedule. Students should bring their schedule with them to school on the first day as printed schedules will not be provided on the first day of school.
MISSED MAZE DAY?
If your student was unable to attend MAZE day, below is some important information that will help them prepare for the first day of school.
- Student Schedules can be accessed through the Aeries portal.
- Picture Make-Up and ID issuance will happen on Sept. 12th
- PE Clothes may be purchased from the PE teacher during the first 2 weeks of school
- Yearbooks can be purchased online anytime by following instructions on the flier
- Donations can be dropped off in the front office after school starts
AERIES PARENT PORTAL
Fremont Unified utilizes Aeries as our student information system. In the past week, parents and guardians received information to complete the annual MAZE process, called “Parent Data Confirmation” in Aeries.
Please complete the process for the 2025-26 school year by August 12, 2025.
Completing the Parent Data Confirmation process ensures your student’s school has accurate information, and allows families to view student schedules/classroom assignments and their teachers when that information is released in August.
If you need support accessing your account or completing the Parent Data Confirmation process, please visit fremontunified.org/portals for troubleshooting and support.
SCHOOL LUNCH
Free lunch will be provided to all students who would like to receive school lunch. Please expect a long line during the first few weeks of school while students learn the lunch procedures. Student ID's may be required in order to receive lunch. Please keep you student ID with you at all times. Line numbers are provided daily by the assistant principal to facilitate an orderly line to receive lunch and to avoid students cutting in line. Lunch is served out of the small gym, in the front of the school.
IMMUNIZATION RECORDS - ATTENTION 7TH GRADERS
Tdap, 2 Varicella and 2 MMR vaccines are required for all incoming 7th graders. Please make sure the office has this information (if you have not already submitted). We will need a copy of your student’s immunization record for our files. If you are not sure if you have turned in your Tdap immunization, please email our Registrar, Katelyn McThorn at kmcthorn@fusdk12.net.
MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
No medication of any kind (prescribed or over the counter) is to be given or carried at school without a completed medical form on file. The nurse is to be informed of any health problems requiring medications. She can be reached at barunkumar@fusdk12.net. The forms are available on the district website and can also be found by using this link.
SEVERE ALLERGIES AT SCHOOL
We have several students at our school that are allergic to foods, especially nuts. This could be extremely dangerous if they are exposed to the items they are allergic to. PLEASE HELP KEEP OUR STUDENTS SAFE AND HEALTHY by notifying our school nurse and the student office if your child has or develops such allergies.
COUNSELORS CORNER
Below are some tips on how you can help your child make a successful transition and get off to a great academic start this year.
- Be sure to attend BACK-TO-SCHOOL Night in early Fall. Teachers explain their program, homework, and grading policies. More information to come.
- Each student should have a neat, quiet space to do homework. Most students do best with a regular homework time. Allow 1.5 hours each evening . If homework is finished, have them read and study for upcoming tests (also part of homework!).
- Encourage your child to get the phone numbers for one or more study buddies in their classes whom they can call with questions about assignments.
- Establish files to save graded and returned homework, at least until you have received the report card for the quarter. Some teachers maintain a file in their classrooms for a quarter.
- If you have any concerns, contact the teacher right away. You may email or call and leave a voice message.
The counselors are available by phone or email and by appointment between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to discuss any concerns. You may email or call and leave a voice message.
Make an appointment for a conference if need be; we are here to help. Finally, enjoy the changes, this is an exciting time for you and your child. More “Counselor Corner” next newsletter!!
Adelisa Ponce (last names A-E):
Mariana Gonzalez, (last names F-K): mgonzalezlopez@fusdk12.net
Tiffany Sam, (last names L-R): tsam1@fusdk12.net
Mark Banez, (last names S-Z): mbanez@fusdk12.net
STUDENT SQUARE
This year students in grades 6-12 will have access to StudentSquare for communication with their teachers and school. This platform, which is part of the District’s existing agreement with ParentSquare, will allow students to set notification preferences to receive messages via email, text and/or app.
PARENT SQUARE
All Fremont Unified schools and parents/guardians are able to use ParentSquare for home-to-school communications. Find links for training and help videos, app downloads and answers to frequently asked questions at fremontunified.org/logins.
